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Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

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Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#31

Post by Someone1234 »

Justin_K wrote: post #24
dhruvdh wrote: post #9

PowerPoint has a feature where it uses machine learning to suggest layout and design changes for your content. This feature most likely can be turned off, but of course it needs some data on what's on your slide to suggest changes. I hope this submission is flagged and removed. Just because you don't like Microsoft doesn't mean such misrepresentation is okay.

This shouldn't be software behavior by default. Why should it be flagged?

The article has a low signal-to-noise ratio. It is just a single paragraph claim that doesn't delve into anything nor inform its audience of anything. Why shouldn't it be flagged?

If this claim was posted as a HN comment without citation or further explanation it would likely get flagged, why are submissions held to a LOWER standard?

Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#32

Post by Pasorrijer »

yjftsjthsd-h wrote: post #18
dhruvdh wrote: post #9

PowerPoint has a feature where it uses machine learning to suggest layout and design changes for your content. This feature most likely can be turned off, but of course it needs some data on what's on your slide to suggest changes. I hope this submission is flagged and removed. Just because you don't like Microsoft doesn't mean such misrepresentation is okay.

I don't really care that it has a feature that's the reason they're sending data off to Microsoft, I care that they're sending data off to Microsoft and it's not blatantly obvious to the user.

When you turn on the feature it is VERY specific that it sends the data to external servers. There's a disclaimer and everything, right in front of the user.

Now, is it a glaring red pop-up? No. But IT department's can also choose to disable the feature if they don't want their company to use it.

Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#33

Post by mynameisvlad »

yjftsjthsd-h wrote: post #18
dhruvdh wrote: post #9

PowerPoint has a feature where it uses machine learning to suggest layout and design changes for your content. This feature most likely can be turned off, but of course it needs some data on what's on your slide to suggest changes. I hope this submission is flagged and removed. Just because you don't like Microsoft doesn't mean such misrepresentation is okay.

I don't really care that it has a feature that's the reason they're sending data off to Microsoft, I care that they're sending data off to Microsoft and it's not blatantly obvious to the user.

> The first time you try out Designer, it may ask your permission to get design ideas for you. If you want to use Designer, select Turn on.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/53c77d7b-dc40-45c2...

Considering it has to be explicitly enabled and includes a privacy policy, I’m going to say it’s “blatantly obvious” to the user.

Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#35

Post by semi-extrinsic »

I've raised this point repeatedly in different orgs. It's met with some combination of indifference and lack of understanding and not-my-responsibility-ism, but I'm sure that this will eventually blow up hard in some company's face - like 9-digit settlement for breach of contract, or worse things like breach of export control laws.

Enterprise data security on the "MS Office level" at this point is like driving 60 mph on a road with no lane dividers. You just pray that you never meet a drunk driver or someone texting in oncoming traffic who suddenly swerves into your lane. You pray that none of your employees click the wrong button and bankrupt the company.

Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#36

Post by horsawlarway »

pjc50 wrote: post #16
dhruvdh wrote: post #9

PowerPoint has a feature where it uses machine learning to suggest layout and design changes for your content. This feature most likely can be turned off, but of course it needs some data on what's on your slide to suggest changes. I hope this submission is flagged and removed. Just because you don't like Microsoft doesn't mean such misrepresentation is okay.

So you agree that Microsoft sends the content of your Powerpoint slides (and, by extension, all DoD powerpoint slides, since they're notorious users of the application) to Microsoft?

> and, by extension, all DoD powerpoint slides, since they're notorious users of the application

This is a pretty huge exaggeration here. Closed rooms exists and are used when appropriate.

And just because something is enabled in the consumer version by default does not imply it's enabled and available in enterprise settings. Last time I dug through the office GPO templates - basically every phone home feature was easily disabled on an org level if desired.

Further - what do you think something like Google Slides is doing with your data? It's ALL stored on Google's servers by default.

Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#37

Post by mynameisvlad »

deafpolygon wrote: post #2

You did consent to it, in the fine print. Unfortunately.

Not even. It’s an explicit feature that must be separately enabled, and requires Microsoft 365.

> The first time you try out Designer, it may ask your permission to get design ideas for you. If you want to use Designer, select Turn on.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/53c77d7b-dc40-45c2...

Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#38

Post by reitanqild »

deafpolygon wrote: post #8
tgsovlerkhgsel wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which is why GDPR has the concept of "informed consent", which is a fancy way of saying "consent hidden in the fine print doesn't count".

When installing office, you are told in the fine print to go read: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement ... it counts. The verbiage in there is quite disturbing.

It doesn't count anywhere that is protected by GDPR.

Re: Microsoft is phoning home the content of PowerPoint slides

#39

Post by noselasd »

dagurp wrote: post #21
dhruvdh wrote: post #9

PowerPoint has a feature where it uses machine learning to suggest layout and design changes for your content. This feature most likely can be turned off, but of course it needs some data on what's on your slide to suggest changes. I hope this submission is flagged and removed. Just because you don't like Microsoft doesn't mean such misrepresentation is okay.

What's the misrepresentation? They pointed out that Microsoft is sending your data and you're not disputing that.

I don't think he implied that your data gets sent out.

We don't really know yet if your data/powerpoint content is sent to Microsoft, or if Powerpoint just goes out and looks for layouts, fonts, etc. without communicating any of your text.

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